ANIMAL » L Train

Arrested Dog Owner Rejects Plea to Sue City

Will Sherman — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:00:26 +0000

Barfing pug owner Chrissie Brodigan rejected a plea deal offering to dismiss charges for being “loud and boisterous” so that she’ll still “be allowed to sue the city for the wrongful arrest.” We’re still wondering when someone will prove the existence of Viane Delgado, the mysterious unfindable Post witness who solely alleged Brodigan lobbed anti-Semitic slurs during her arrest. |Gothamist|

Two of Three Charges Dropped Against Arrested Pug Owner

Will Sherman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:03:42 +0000

Two charges against subway-riding dog owner Chrissie Brodigan have been dismissed. But she’s still facing a disorderly conduct charge from her arrest, unemployment and disappointment that arresting officer Joel Witriol didn’t show up to be interrogated at her hearing. There’s still no word on the Post’s mystery witness Viane Delgado. |Gothamist|

Chrissie Brodigan Fired From Plum TV

Will Sherman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:04:37 +0000

Chrissie Brodigan, the woman arrested and allegedly groped by NYPD Officer Joel Witriol for taking her sick dog out on the L train, was fired from her job at Plum TV “for ‘equivocating’ in the press” regarding a Post witness’ claim that she lobbed anti-semitic remarks at the officer. Brodigan, whose slur denial is backed by another witness, is accusing the Post of falsifying the quote by Viane Delgado or inventing her entirely because nobody, not even Gothamist, can find her. |Gothamist|

NYPD Commissioner Sics CCRB on L Train Incident

Will Sherman — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:19:18 +0000

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly defended Officer Joel Witriol, accused of physically abusing Chrissie Brodigan when he arrested her for taking her sick dog out of it’s bag on the L train. Kelly said CCRB is investigating her claim but “[there is] no indication that she was [manhandled],” unless bruises aren’t the result of being too gentle. |NYP|

Witnesses Dispute Arrested Pug Owner’s Religious Remarks

Will Sherman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:35:45 +0000

The Post offers a decidedly different account of the semi-violent L train encounter between Chrissie Brodigan and NYPD officer Joel Witriol over her sick pug. A witness, Viane Delgado, claims Brodigan used anti-Semitic slurs, attempted to walk away and told Witriol, “You f—ing Jew, you’re not even human.” But Brodigan denies that and another witness to the scuffle says the anti-Semitic remarks “absolutely did not happen.” |Gothamist|

Update On Woman Arrested Over Dog on Subway

Will Sherman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:52:15 +0000

Gothamist talks with Chrissie Brodigan, the woman who was arrested earlier today for taking her sick dog out of it’s carrier on the L train. In addition to misogynistic comments, she says her arresting officer Joel Witriol “punched me in the back (there are bruises), he handcuffed me, and in the scuffle grabbed my breasts and pinched them.” She asks that witnesses file complaints with the 90th precinct because Witriol “shouldn’t be able to do this to women—to anyone.” |Gothamist|

Cops Arrest Subway Rider Over Sick Pug

Will Sherman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:11:31 +0000

NYPD officers arrested an L train rider over “a 15lb pug that [she] took out of his tote bag for throwing up and overheating, ” but not before threatening to put the dog down and telling the owner, “If you’re going to act like a woman I’m going to treat you like a woman.” |Free Williamsburg|

Robo-Trains Getting Greater Use

Will Sherman — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:47:25 +0000

With little fanfare the MTA has upped the hours that robo-trains ride the city’s rails. On the L line where they started, the computer controlled cars now run at all hours with little interference by the on board motorman. Transit advocates have raised concerns over the safety and security of the system, but are hopeful that the robo-trains will deliver the increased service they promise. |NYDN|

The MTA Continues To Dehumanize Its Work Force

Bucky Turco — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:35:06 +0000

Many token booth clerks were the first to go and people with maroon vests were then forced to roam the stations. Now, the MTA is replacing train conductors with automated trains. Beginning today, the L line will be the first to get the robo-trains that were designed to run more efficiently than their flesh and blood counterparts—technically a human will be on board to monitor George Jetson style. |Engadget|